By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Winners have emerged in the Climate Champion Quest organised by the STEAM Funfest at the ongoing Climate Action Africa Forum 24 (CAAF24) in Lagos.
The overall winner of the contest was Omoniyi Praise, with Treasure Nwosu and Alabi Abimbola as the first and second runners-up, respectively.
The competition is part of the activities lined up for CAAF24 taking place at Landmark Event Centre, put together by a leading environmental advocate, Climate Action Africa (CAA).
The event aims to galvanize action and underscore the urgent need for climate action across industries and communities across Africa by bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders, including government officials, business leaders, academics, civil society representatives and the media.
The theme of this year’s forum, Green Economies, Brighter Futures, highlights the imperative for immediate and collective action in mitigating the effects of climate change in Africa and achieving global sustainability goals.
Addressing the participants on Wednesday, the co-founder and executive director of CAA, Ms Grace Oluchi Mbah, said, “CAAF24 serves as a critical platform for dialogue and collaboration.”
“With the event, we aim to increase education and awareness on climate change, showcase innovations and projects driving Africa to a sustainable future, and more actively contribute to the expansion of Africa’s green economy,” she added.
CAAF24, which featured breakout sessions for panel discussions, witnessed exhibitions of outstanding innovations from over 800 registrations through the Deal Room, a platform that connected high-impact climate innovators in Africa with potential investors seeking to accelerate sustainable solutions.
It featured speeches from the chief executive of Great Green Wall of Africa (GGWoA) and Mali’s former Minister of Culture, Ms Ramatoulaye Diallo Ndiaye, and others.
The discussants talked about the potential of forests and carbon credits, climate financing, Nigeria’s carbon market activation, mobilizing private capital for climate-positive investments in Africa, building resilient and liveable African Cities and more.
The sessions were designed to encourage interactive participation and exchange of ideas among participants from diverse backgrounds and sectors.
The organisers used the occasion to launch its audacious Billion Trees for Africa Initiative as part of CAA’s community programmes and also unveiled the Pan-African Green Economy Program (PAGE), a partnership with IDEA AFRICA.
Adedapo Adesanya